Only she could look at him like she really saw him. Not just his looks or what he could do for her, but him. In the silence that surrounded them, it was as if they’d been transported to another time.
He could still remember the way she walked into his house mid-morning, a young woman, long, honey-blond hair down her smooth back. She quietly walked them both to his room and they made love for the first time that day.
But that was then, more than a lifetime ago. He looked at her now, really looked at her, and a hushed calmness fell over him. Their hands were clasped tightly together, her honey-blond hair was down, shorter now, but he tucked it behind her ear like he’d always done. Her green eyes studied him and like before so much was said behind them. He had no words.
Just like the first time.
No. This time was better than their first time. This time it meant something more. It meant everything.
They walked up the stairs, step by step, taking their time. There was no need to rush. Wordlessly, they reached her bedroom door. He opened it for her and she slipped by him, her soothing scent floating in the air as she passed by.
Closing the door, he walked to her and much like their first time, silently they stood fully clothed in front of one another. His heart beating fast and furious in his chest. His blood simmering with passion for her in his veins.
Just like their first time.
Their breathing was off. She looked up at him, her green eyes open and loving.
“Hi,” a small smile played over her lips. He leaned in, kissing her as gently as he could, afraid of how much he wanted her, how much he needed her, of somehow ruining things by rushing them.
“Hi,” he whispered back hoarsely. He saw the glistening look in her eyes and knew she was remembering their first time just like he was.
His hands trembled as he reached for her hips, his fingers finding the belt loops of her jeans. Her hands touched his chest, drawing those random circles he loved.
“Dance with me?” he asked her, and her soft laughter filled the hushed space. He wiped the tear that rolled down her face with the pad of his thumb.
Bringing her in close, one hand around her waist, the other in her soft short hair, He breathed in her scent. Familiar but so damn new. So much time had passed, but here he stood in her room, feeling twenty-something again, as they swayed back and forth, her head resting on his chest.
“You remembered.” He almost didn’t hear her hushed words, but the moment she said them he swallowed the knot in his throat.
“I told you. I remember everything,” he whispered into her hair, and she stepped back, looking into his eyes, love shining through.
He watched her chest inhale and exhale slowly as she started to unbutton the emerald green silk blouse she was wearing, the small buttons coming undone from top to bottom, a white satin bra peeking from beneath.
“It’s kind of bright in here,” her voice shook nervously. He gave her a soft smile.
“I want to see you,” his voice rumbled huskily and her breath hitched. “You’re beautiful.”
She started to shake her head, trying to disagree with him, but he put a finger to her soft lips. “You are. You’re beautiful and strong and so damn brave, Jess…” her green eyes shone lighter from the unshed tears that lay in them. He leaned in, kissing her softly.
“If you don’t want to, we can stop this. We won’t do anything you don’t want to. I’m not in any rush. We have forever,” the words slipped out, but he meant each one. He watched her lick her lips and nod, her eyes softening. The feelings shining from her were so damn bright his body ached for her.
“I want to,” she turned around, and he helped her slip the blouse off of her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor.
Looking at her slender back, he swallowed hard. He kissed her shoulders. Slowly. One at a time. Nuzzling her neck, breathing her in, his body tight and aching.
Time stood still as he kissed her sensitive skin, gently licking and nibbling the freckles covering her shoulders.
Jess
The sides of his hands moved down from her shoulders as he kissed her. She felt like her heart was going to jump out of her chest as his hands grazed the bare skin of her back and arms. Slowly. Lovingly. Her head fell back as she tried to breathe in, his woodsy scent surrounding her. She felt his hands stop at the back of her bra, his mouth at her ear.
“Can I?”
Could he?
She wanted to take the damn thing off, but she wasn’t sure how he would react at the sight of her disfigured body.
It’s now or never, she thought as she swallowed hard. She nodded, closing her eyes tightly, afraid to see his reaction. She felt his lithe fingers undo the hooks and the cool air touching her now bare skin. Her body trembled in both anticipation and fear, making her almost lightheaded. But she should have known better. Scott had always been giving and honest, and he didn’t disappoint her now. He kissed down her spine, falling onto his knees behind her.
“Turn around,” he ordered in a commanding tone that made her sex clench. She couldn’t help but comply. Turning, her eyes still tightly sealed, she felt his calloused hands settle onto her hips, widely spreading over her curves. The wetness of his mouth above her belly button taking her breath away, she trembled.
“Open your eyes, Jessie.” She shook her head, a tear escaping, making its way down her cheek. She was feeling so much she couldn’t contain it. “You’re beautiful, baby.”
A laugh escaped her and she opened her eyes just as he kissed her belly again. How many times had he kissed her just like this? His dark hair was now sprinkled with grey, but she couldn’t help thinking it was more beautiful now. Not just his hair, but everything about him, about her, about them. The sensation of his mouth moving up her body as both his hands skimmed her chest made her feel alive and achy. One hand covered her tight, aching nipple while the other touched the scar of where her breast once lay.
“Scott.”
“So damn beautiful,” looking into the dark orbs of his eyes, she knew he was being honest, which made it hard for her to breathe.
“Scott,” she whispered his name once again as she watched his mouth kiss her scar gently, his eyes still locked on hers. She trembled, aching for more.
“This is our time. Promise, Jess…this is our chance.”
She knew he wasn’t only talking about the moment. No. He was talking about so much more, and she was more than okay with it.
She loved it.
“I promise,” she vowed and he stood. She helped him lift his shirt off his body as they kissed slowly, tenderly, her body demanding more, needing to feel the warmth of his bare skin against hers. They undressed quickly, their clothes falling to the ground in a small pile at their feet.
The moment they finally stood bare in front of one another, his hand ran along her lower back, right above the swell of her behind. Goosebumps covered her body.
“I need you,” she whispered. He grinned, rocking into her, his hardness poking her belly.
“You have me.” He lifted her up, her legs wrapping around his waist, and took them to her bed. He laid her down and started to love her, kissing every inch of her body. It was a sweet torture, one she was going to make him pay for. She writhed and squirmed below him, wet and needy beyond recognition. She needed him.
“Please… Scott…”
“Shh…”
Scott
“Please…” she pleaded, making him want to beat on his chest in triumph.
He watched his finger slide in and out of her, glistening with desire. His body needed her so badly he took a deep, shuddering breath. He glanced up at her through his lashes. She was in the center of the bed, her hair fanned around her. He was over her body, between her thighs. He looked down to his fingers again, slipping them out, her soft whimpers full of protest. He traced a finger up her skin to her chest.
His body was screaming at him to hurry and take what he wanted, but his heart stopped him. He was going to lov
e her slowly, even if it killed him. He wanted to show her how beautiful he really thought she was. He kissed her puckered skin, then her breast, loving the way she grabbed his hair, holding him close to her while he sucked and flicked the beaded nipple between his lips.
Looking at her, his hands moved lower, feeling the way her stomach trembled beneath his touch. He reached his destination and rubbed her center with his thumb.
“So damn wet,” he growled, his lips hovering over her straining nipple. “Always so damn wet for me.”
“Always,” she whimpered, her hips bucking up for more friction. He hid a satisfied smile. He loved that she needed him as much as he needed her.
Ripping the foil packet he’d thrown onto the bed, he sheathed himself as she watched with heated eyes, her cheeks and the skin at her neck flushing bright. Bringing himself to her center, her wet heat beckoned him. He slid in slowly, relishing in her tightness, in the way she felt beneath him, her legs open wide at his sides.
“More… please…” Her breathless whispers made him push in further until the root of him touched her pelvic bone and he stilled. He allowed her to adjust to him and felt her legs wrap tightly around his waist, the heels of her feet on his ass, her arms around his shoulders. He looked down at her as he worked himself in and out of her body slowly, gently. Sweat beading at his forehead, he was afraid he was going to embarrass himself because of how great she felt.
“You okay?” he huffed and she nodded, kissing him sweetly.
“Love me, Scott,” her voice was husky as it trembled. He kissed her back as he picked up his pace.
They both gave and took. His hand lowered to their connection, rubbing circles to her now slick bundle of nerves. The room filled with the sound of their bodies connecting, and the scent of their love-making clung in the air. He pushed in at an angle and felt her start to tighten.
“Get there, Jess…” he ordered, watching her beautiful face start to tense. Her lips parted and her eyes closed in pleasure. He felt her body tremble. She was close. He couldn’t lie; he was too. So damn close to heaven.
“I…oh, God…Scott…please, please don’t stop...oh…” her head flew back, falling deeper into the pillow as she tensed and then spasmed around his hardness. Feeling her come pushed him over the edge to his own orgasm. After two more thrusts he emptied himself into her heat.
His body, now heavy, pressed into her as he gave her some of his weight. Just like their first time, she wrapped her arms around him, her face in his neck. She didn’t want to lose their connection. Hell, neither did her. He breathed, vowing he would never walk away.
He’d never leave her.
Not ever again.
Chapter Twenty-One
Jess
Wrapped up in one another’s arms, the sheet at their hips, she listened to the steady beat of his heart. It had taken a while to slow after their extracurricular activities. After, he’d disposed of the condom and had hopped back into bed with her, settling her into their current position.
“Did you ever get your boat?” she asked, his hand stroking her hair.
“No,” a smile was clear in his tone. “Did you ever get a convertible?”
“No,” she smiled against his skin, doodling random shapes on his chest.
“Did you ever go to Spain?”
“I did. I took Chloe and Tina when Tina graduated from high school,” he told her, and she was glad he got to do that. He’d been obsessed with everything Spanish when they were together. “I should explain Chloe’s name,” his deep voice filled the room. She shook her head, not looking up at him.
“You really don’t need to. The past is just that.”
“Leah was insistent about that name and well…”
“You couldn’t let it go,” she filled in the blank when the room went silent.
“Yeah.” His voice was rough. She kissed his chest. She understood.
Chloe’s name was to him what her box was to her. She kissed his skin again, okay with the soft silence that had fallen between them.
“You still use the same cologne,” she noted, changing the subject. He kissed the top of her head.
“Habit,” he simply replied.
“I like it.”
“Did you ever learn how to make cookies?” She laughed softly at his question.
“Not from scratch. Thankfully, they sell cookie dough you can just scoop and bake now,” she shared, thinking about the many times he’d tried to teach her how to make cookies and how every time the house filled with smoke from her inability to bake. They had to open every single window and wave towels over the fire detectors until they stopped.
“That’s crazy,” he chuckled.
“Hey, it was your fault we always burnt the cookies. You always started to kiss me and distracted me so much we never heard the timer.” His chuckles filled the room.
“What about after?”
“Shut up,” she giggled at how horrible she was at baking anything. They lay in silence, his fingers in her hair and her hand on his chest.
“I can’t believe we’re here,” she looked at him and moved to kiss him, her front half pressed against his side.
“Me either.”
“I don’t want to be anywhere else,” he told her honestly. She kissed him, knowing he meant it in more than just what they’d shared.
“Then stay,” she told him, her lips over his, sharing the same air. She completely meant it.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jess
Two weeks flew by, filled with waking up in strong arms, work, dinners, love making, and late night talks that lasted well into the darkness. They spent a lot of time reacquainting themselves with each other.
It was Friday night, after a long day at the shop, and she’d just hung up with him. He was running late since he had to stop at his place for supplies. She was making him dinner.
Lost in the unusually loud music she was playing and her thoughts as she cooked, Jess was completely distracted and didn’t hear her doorbell, nor did she hear the door open. It wasn’t until she looked up and toward her breakfast bar, her daughter Chrissy sitting there, smiling, completely amused, that Jess jumped.
“Hi Mom,” Chrissy smiled at her, her eyes wide.
“Oh my! Chrissy, you scared me to death,” she lowered the volume on the radio and walked over to hug her sweet daughter.
“I’m sorry. I knocked, but with the music I figured you didn’t hear me, so I used my key.”
“Oh, honey, this is your house. You don’t have to knock.”
“Not according to Drew,” she retorted. Jess’ cheeks heated with embarrassment. Her daughter’s laughter filled the room.
“Chris!” Jess admonished, shaking her head, a smile she couldn’t beat back on her lips.
“So…Chloe’s dad, huh?” Chrissy’s green eyes were wide. It always shocked Jess how much Chrissy looked like her.
“Chrissy…”
“I’m happy for you, Mom,” she said, her voice now soft and honest.
“Yeah?” she asked. She needed to know her kids were okay with this change in her life. She knew it had only been two weeks, but Scott and her had become inseparable. She couldn’t imagine a richer or fuller life than what she had experienced with him recently.
“Yes. Drew’s happy too, in his own Drew way. He’s just a little weirded out because you’re our mom and he’s, well…”
“Yeah.” She sighed, turning back to the stove.
“You look happy,” Chrissy noted and Jess couldn’t help but smile.
“I am.”
“Then that’s all that matters,” her daughter simply stated and smiled with her.
***
Drew and Chloe arrived ten minutes after Chrissy had and when Scott finally arrived, he came in, arm in arm, with his daughter Tina.
They ordered a couple of pizzas alongside with the roasted chicken and vegetables she’d prepared. Scott and Drew added the leaf to her small dining table to accommodate them all and
they had their first official family dinner.
The kids removed any awkwardness that might have clung to the situation with jokes and laughter. They did, however, give their approval afterwards.
Drew had followed his mom into the kitchen for dessert and again apologized for his behavior the day he and Chloe had walked in on them. Chrissy slipped in behind them moments later, and the three of them hugged, celebrating her good test results.
Scott
He watched the three of them walk out of the kitchen, his eyes on Jess as they brought bowls, ice cream, and toppings for dessert. Jess winked at him, and he knew everything was okay. A surge of protectiveness and need to make her happy and keep her smiling overpowered him as he walked to her. Taking the cold tub of ice cream from her hands, his hands on her face, he kissed her deeply, not caring that their kids were there. If this was going to go where he wanted it to go, and he’d fight tooth and nail for it, then this was something their kids were going to have to get used to.
“Eww…”
“Dad…”
“Mom.” Their voices rang in the background, and Scott could feel her smiling lips against his. He laughed, pulling away, his arm around her shoulder.
“Alright, sheesh…Who wants ice cream?” he asked, loving the way Jess didn’t push him away. Her arms went around his waist tightly, her head resting in the crook of his arm.
****
They stood at the doorway, watching their kids drive off.
“Goodnight!” Chrissy said and they turned. He waved and Jess blew a kiss at Chrissy before she disappeared upstairs.
“Night.”
“Night, baby,” she told her daughter. They went into the living room, where he brought her onto his lap.
“I should go home.”
“Why?”
“Chrissy’s here and you said it’s been a while since she’s been home.”
“Yeah,” she sighed, her head on his shoulder, in no hurry to see him leave.
Longing For You (Never Too Late Book 1) Page 9